Organic Production Clubs
The Organic Council of Ontario has initiated a pilot project for the development of Organic Production Clubs in Ontario. These clubs hold regular meetings to discuss organic farming issues, share knowledge and may host speakers, farm tours or other events.
Membership in the clubs is open. If you are interested in joining an Organic Production Club in your area, contact the Organic Council of Ontario at info@organiccouncil.ca or 519-821-1221.
Organic Production Clubs: Canadian Organic Growers - Ottawa Chapter Beef Production Club / Central Ontario Organic Dairy Club / Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training / Francophone Ontario Organic Dairy Club / Kawartha Beef Cooperative Production Club / Lanark Organic Growers Guild / Local Organic Food Team Co-op / Ontario Organic Egg Pool Club / Ontario Organic Grain Club / Organic Beef Production Club / Ottawa Valley Small Farmer Exchange / Sand Plain Organic Group
Canadian Organic Growers - Ottawa Chapter Beef Production Club
The Canadian Organic Growers - Ottawa Chapter Beef Production Club is designed to tackle issues of organic beef production in the Ottawa region. The club will do this by inviting committed certified organic producers, along with representatives from COG, to dispel some of the myths surrounding certification. In addition club members hope that by working together with a collective voice they can inspire more abattoirs to cater to the needs of organic and/or small producers and even become certified themselves. The club will also evaluate various business models and forms including co-operatives and direct wholesale to retail.
Central Ontario Organic Dairy Club
A large focus of the Central Ontario Organic Dairy club is to help members successfully transition to organic dairy production and thus increase the supply of organic dairy in Ontario. This active club plans to bring in expert speakers to augment some of the meetings for the upcoming learning season.
Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT Ontario)
CRAFT Ontario is an informal, member-driven network made up of more than a dozen Southern Ontario organic farms. The goal of CRAFT is to enhance the internships offered by its members. The primary method of doing this is through offering monthly field trips which take place at selected CRAFT farms.
Francophone Ontario Organic Dairy Club
The Francophone Ontario Organic Dairy Club is organised to address the needs of the small but rapidly growing contingent of Francophone Ontario transitioning and organic dairy farms. The Francophone producers have been meeting for the past few years and as organics is new to this community funding for this club will enhance their meetings by bringing in speakers to offer expertise on specific subjects.
Kawartha Beef Cooperative Production Club
The Kawartha Beef Cooperative works with ecological farmers in the Kawartha bioregion. They aim to generate enthusiasm for increasing opportunities for local education and sharing of experiences. The Cooperative also plan to facilitate a study for organic beef farmers on the opportunities for local cooperation. The club hopes to reach a wider group of beef producers who are considering the transition to organic production through interaction with the group.
Lanark Organic Growers Guild (LOGG)
The Lanark Organic Growers Guild is a group of vegetable growers in Lanark County (Eastern Ontario) formed with the intent of sharing and acquiring knowledge to improve organic growing methods and livelihoods. This will be carried out through a series of presentations, discussions, workshops, and farm tours. In addition, the club plans to expand their program to include mentorship, land and equipment sharing, seed exchanges, and further study.
Local Organic Food Team Co-op (LOFT)
LOFT is a producer coop that is principled in sharing information and education to promote the objectives of the coop, seeking speakers and setting dates to address many requests of our organic producers. Topics may include: soil fertility, quality seed sourcing collectively, sharing and adaptation of horticultural equipment.
The majority of LOFT's winter activities will be general meetings with all LOFT members to plan on increasing production, increasing nutritional quality of produce grown, address more energy efficient methods of production and develop new marketing tools.
The Ontario Organic Egg Pool Club members are scattered throughout Western Ontario. The goal of its members is to conform to HACCP regulations, which is both a marketing advantage and regulatory requirement. The club will hold meetings with speakers discussing production issues to enhance the efficiency of each member's organic operation and the quality of organic products produced.
Originally a group of Organic Meadow Co-operative grain producers who have been meeting for over 20 years. By expanding their group, the club plans to bring in expert speakers to enhance their knowledge in growing high yielding, quality crops. The group has been dynamic and changed with the times and sees the need to use their co-operative status to their advantage and collectively grow crops. This will allow the club to create a large volume of niche crops (with risk shared collectively) to interest buyers.
The Organic Beef Production Club is a group of beef farmers from South-Western Ontario. The club was formed with the intent of sharing and acquiring knowledge to improve their organic production methods and livelihoods. This will begin in 2009 through a series of meetings and farm tours with future plans to include mentorship, guest speakers, and sharing of production plans. In addition, the club aims to educate beef producers on production and marketing issues relating to organic/transitional methods through a series of newsletters.
Ottawa Valley Small Farmer Exchange
The Ottawa Valley Small Farmer Exchange creates a supportive network for the new generation of farmers, meeting to share ideas about production, business and farming skills. Meeting topics may include: variety selection, crop planning, working with interns and volunteers, working cooperatively etc. Possible other topics include cover cropping, raising poultry, accessing services and financial planning.
The Sand Plain Organic Group provides a forum for organic farmers and potential organic farmers to learn about organic production and cultural practices and to encourage conventional farmers to convert their farming operations to organic production in the Norfolk sand plain on the north shore of Lake Erie. Topics to be discussed might include: transition to organic production, soil management, weed control, pest control and marketing.
New Clubs:
While the original deadline for our pilot program has now closed, OCO continues to pursue new funding to support and expand this program. The Organic Council of Ontario will maintain a list of groups which may be interested in establishing Organic Production Clubs. Clubs should have a minimum of 12 members, with at least 50% of these members operating using organic principles (organic & transitional). Clubs must be focused on organic production issues. Please contact OCO for additional details if you are interested in establishing an organic production club in your area.
Last Updated: 2010-01-18 22:33:40